Does Poor Nutrition Make Your Hair Grey?

A healthy diet may help keep your hair color longer.

Your diet represents one of the most powerful predictors of your health status. Poor nutrition plays a role in the development and progression of a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, obesity and heart disease. A poor diet can lead to premature graying as well. If you have noticed gray strands sneaking into your otherwise healthy head of hair, it may be a clue that you need to re-examine your diet.

Background

While the exact cause of gray hair remains illusive, genetic differences account for some instances of graying hair. Most commonly, gray hair is related to aging, but you don't have to be in your golden years to experience loss of hair color. Melanin -- a natural pigment -- provides your hair with its illustrious color. A poor diet can interfere with your body's ability to produce melanin in your hair follicles, leading to gray hair.

Copper

Scientists are zeroing in on specific nutrient deficiencies related to gray hair. Researchers assessed the relationship between iron, copper and zinc concentrations in premature-graying individuals. Of the three nutrients, individuals with gray hair had significantly lower copper levels than the control group, according to a study published in the April 2012 issue of the journal "Biological Trace Elemental Research." Your body requires copper to produce pigment for your skin and hair. Copper-rich foods include dark leafy greens, nuts, beans, shellfish and fruits such as avocado, bananas, tomatoes and grapes.

Folate and B-12

The B vitamins work together to help your body perform various physiological functions. Of these functions, B vitamins help produce DNA, the building blocks of your entire body. Significantly, folate and B-12 act synergistically so your body can produce red blood cells and the proteins necessary to repair and build your body. Graying hair is a common side effect of folate and or B-12 deficiency. Folate is abundant in leafy greens, beans and legumes, poultry and citrus fruit. You can obtain B-12 from animal foods such as fish, beef, eggs and shellfish -- especially oysters, clams and mussels.

Considerations

If after several months you adhere to an improved diet and fail to experience slowing in gray hair growth, there may be a different culprit. Certain conditions can cause premature gray hair. Hypothyroidism -- a condition in which your thyroid fails to produce enough hormone -- commonly causes premature gray. Have your physician check your thyroid to rule it out as the cause of your graying hair.

About the Author

Janet Renee is a clinical dietitian with a special interest in weight management, sports dietetics, medical nutrition therapy and diet trends. She earned her Master of Science in nutrition from the University of Chicago and has contributed to health and wellness magazines, including Prevention, Self, Shape and Cooking Light.